Music-turner.



W. H. STEPP.

MUSIC TURNER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1915.

Patented July 25, 1916.

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MUSIC IUHNER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20. I915.

1 1 92,703. Patented July 25, 1916.

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WILLIAM H. STEPP, OF WINKELMAN, ARIZONA.

MUSIC-TURNER.

Application filed November 20, 1915.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. Srnrr, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVinkelman, in the county of Gila and State of Arizona, have invented new and useful Improvements in Music-Turners, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a music leaf turner designed primarily to provide a portable device readily connected to pianos, music stands or the like, and adapted through a simple operation of the user to successively turn sheets of music and thereby avoid the necessity of the player taking the time required for the usual hand turning operation.

The invention comprehends a series of leaf turning arms held in one position through the medium of a catch and in such position placing under tension a turning spring. A push rod adapted for operation to release the catch serves as a medium for the operator by a simple touch to cause the arms to successively move under the influence of the spring to turn the leaves. Dashpot construction serves to retard the movement of the arms to avoid unnecessary speed which might tend to tear the leaves.

The invention in the preferred form of details will be described in the following specification, reference being had particularly to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing the improved structure; Fig. 2 is an edge "iew of the same; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the clamps; Fig. 4; is a rear view with the rear wall of the case removed; Fig. 5 is a detail sectional. view of the latch device.

The improved structure comprises what may be termed a catch made in the outline shown comprising a hollow upright 1, and hollow upper and lower cross pieces 2 and 3. The lower cross piece 2 has a forwardly projecting ledge 1 provided with spring loops 5 for applying the leaf turner as a whole to the piano in an obvious manner. The ledge 41: operates as a supporting strip for the sheet music and a leaf spring 6 is applied to the upper cross arm so as to secure the rear sheet in comparatively fixed rela tion to the turner and hold it in open condition thereon.

Projecting forwardly from the upper bar 3 and in line with the upright 1 are ears 7, in which is mounted a pin 8 providing a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25, 1916.

Serial No. 62,597.

pivotal support for the turning arms. These arms comprise suitable lengths of material preferably more or less rigid, as 9 formed at their inner ends with offset ears 10 to engage the pivot pin, springs 11 encircling the pivot pin and hear at their respective ends against the cross bar 3 and the arm 9, the springs being tensioned so as to normally move the arm toward the turned or fully operated position. The free ends of the arms formed with offset portions 12 having projections or knobs 13, the offsets 12 receiving the edge of the music sheet or leaf to be turned. The arms 9 above the offset are formed with ears 14: upon which is pivot ally mounted aclamping leaf 15 designed to cooperate with the offset 12, the offset and leaf together forming what is hereinafter termed the clamp. The clamping leaf 15 has its end above the pivot projected to cooperate with a leaf spring 16 carried by the arm 9, as illustrated to hold the leaf in open or clamped position, as will be obvious from the drawings. A dash pot retarding member 17 is provided for each leaf comprising a cylinder 18 pivotally mounted upon the upper edge of the cross bar 3 in which cylinder is arranged a piston 19 connected by a piston rod 20 with the particular arm. As illustrated there are dashpots or retarders arranged at each end of the cross arm 2 which are shown in connection respectively with the two arms of the turning device which aresuflicient for the ordinary piece of music. The cylinders are open so as to permit free movement of the arm from the operative to the normal or inoperative position, the movement from such normal position to the operative position being retarded by the dash-pot operation as will be obvious.

Pivotally supported upon the cross arm 2 is a catch 21 designed to be passed through openings 22 in the respective arms as they are moved to normal position, the lip 23 of the catch engaging the edge of the opening to restrain said arm in such position. The catch extends within the cross arm 2 and interiorly of the latter is connected by a cable 24: to a rod 25 pivotally mounted in the upright 1, which rod has a forwardly turned end 26 projecting into the ledge L and there connected through the medium of a rod and L-lever 27, 28 to a push rod 29, which extends forwardly through the ledge for manual operation. A spring 30 is connected to the latch within the cross bar 2 so as to normally hold the latch in latching or operative position.

In use the arms are turned and latched in normal position, and the sheet music applied, the respective movable sheets thereof engaged with the respective arms by securing the edge thereof in the clamp carried thereon. \Vhen it is desired to turn the leaf a push rod is operated which momentarily actuates the latch and releases the first arm. Under the influence of the spring previously described this arm moves to operative position, that is to the other side of the cross bar 2 carrying with it the sheet music and turn ingthe same, the dash-pot connected therewith rendering the movement uniform and continuous. The second sheet is correspond ingly turned when desired for subsequent operation of the push rod.

The rear of the case described is preferably provided with protecting pads 81 to avoid marring the piano or other instrument 011 which the device is used, and all parts may be similarly supplied to avoid possibility of marring the finish of the instru ment.

What is claimed is: 1. A music leaf turner comprising a hollow frame, including an upper cross bar, a 1.

lower cross bar and an upright connecting the bars, leaf turning arms pivotally supported on the upper cross bar, clamps carried by the free ends of the arms, springs for moving the arms in one direction, a latch for holding the arms against movement under the influence of the springs, a means for releasingthe latch, and dash-pots connected with the arms for retarding their movement.

2. A music leaf turner including a frame, spring operated leaf turning arms pivotally mounted thereon, a latch for holding the arms against the influence of the spring, two dash-pots pivotally mounted on the frame, one connected to each arm, and clamping members carried by the free ends of the arms.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VILLIAM H. STEPP.

Vitnesses A. N. Jonas, JANE MARTIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

